BLACKS BREAK THROUGH IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
'Underrepresented Minority' Label Fades, But Workplace Challenges Remain
(ALEXANDRIA - November 30, 2008 - BlackNews.com) - After years of being labeled an "underrepresented minority" in computer science, blacks in the U.S. are on the brink of leaving that category, with bachelor's degrees in hand. According to the federal government's National Center for Education Statistics, black students received 12.4 percent of the baccalaureates in computer and information sciences awarded by U.S. colleges and universities in 2005-06. That's nearly equal to the percentage of blacks in the U.S. population (12.8 percent).
For advocates of minority participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), reaching this milestone is cause for celebration, especially since diversity in engineering remains stagnant. Black students received only 5 percent of the nation's bachelor's degrees in engineering awarded in 2005-06. But is the news in comp sci all good?
Not by a long shot. Students of all races and ethnicities have been shying away from computer science in large numbers in recent years, and some experts say that's for good reason.
The November/December 2008 "Careers Issue" of NSBE Magazine presents an in-depth look at these important happenings, in a feature article titled, "Blacks in Computer Science: The Secrets of Their Success." Download the PDF here:
http://national.nsbe.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=YsNdVlXt/08=&tabid=98&mid=447
ABOUT NSBE
Founded in 1975, the 31,118-member National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) (www.nsbe.org) is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the U.S. NSBE has more than 300 chapters on college and university campuses, hundreds of NSBE Jr. chapters and more than 80 Alumni Extension chapters and interest groups in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. The organization's mission is to "increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."
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TGR: In Extraordinary Times: Proud to be Amongst the Living:
Despite all that is messed up, I am taken back to grandma’s favorite hymn, #325, in the good ol’ Baptist Hymnal: “We’ll understand it better bye and bye.” I’m taken back to the praying man’s visit every Monday at 4 pm and the long, long prayers he would utter. I think of drinking tea and eating Graham crackers with grandpop before grandma got home.
Friends, it is easy to focus on the negative. It is easy to throw the towel in on life. It is easy to concede, to give up, to quit. I don’t know about you, but I refuse to do so. I just can’t. I won’t. There is a certain sense of entitlement of expanded territory that I simply demand of myself and those around me, as ordained by God. I say, mediocrity is for the lame. This kid here expects the very best that God has to offer. Come hell or high water, I’ll just have to take the hits; but progress, I insist, is imminent.
Wedding Bells for JC & MM:
James Collins and Maria More are getting married on May 30th. Both are in the entertainment industry. While Collins is with Fertile Ground, More is from Atlanta's hot 107.9 fm. Congrats, people! Read in Full >>
11th District Delegates report from Annapolis:
The water main break and the ensuing water crisis that struck our community this weekend are continuing to seriously impact our friends, neighbors, schools, and family members. This severe disruption to local infrastructure and quality of life has our full attention.
We understand the frustration expressed in the phone calls and emails our offices have received from those affected by the water outage. Your delegates recognize that this is a substantial hardship for families.
President Obama Donates Nobel Prize Money to Charity:
President Obama today announced the charities that will receive a portion of the $1.4 million award that comes with the Nobel peace prize.
“These organizations do extraordinary work in the United States and abroad helping students, veterans and countless others in need,” said President Obama. “I’m proud to support their work.”
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